Chapter 23: True Awakening
When he managed to open his eyes, he saw only darkness.
No light, no sound—just an oppressive, cold emptiness.
'So this is the afterlife...'
A bitter laugh forced its way out of his throat, breaking the silence.
Then, tears followed. He cried and laughed all at once, the mix of emotions twisting in a way that made his own skin crawl.
'I thought... I thought death would bring peace,' he whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of despair.
'But this? This is worse,'
His laughter faded into soft sobs as he wrapped his arms around himself, trembling.
'This isn't fair,' he muttered, his words barely audible.
'Why can't it just end? Why am I still here?'
Time became meaningless in the suffocating silence.